Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, Inc (CINCINNATI, Ohio), a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, and Dong Wha Pharmaceutical Ind Co (SEOUL, Korea), a leading Korean pharmaceutical company, announced a strategic alliance under which P&GP will have rights to develop and commercialize Dong Wha's novel class of molecules for the treatment of osteoporosis, including the drug DW 1350 and a family of backup compounds. DW 1350 is a novel small-molecule drug candidate, having very low toxicity (LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in mice), that stimulates bone formation and inhibits bone resorption. DW 1350 is now in phase I trials for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.

Under terms of the agreement, Dong Wha will retain rights for specific countries in Asia and will grant P&GP exclusive rights for the rest of the world. Dong Wha will receive an upfront fee, development and commercial milestone payments, and royalties on product sales. Total payments, excluding royalties, for the successful development and commercialization of products, including DW 1350, could reach $511 million. The companies may also negotiate a supply agreement in which Dong Wha would have an opportunity to supply the active pharmaceutical ingredient and finished products to P&GP and its affiliates.

P&PG has several additional partners in the area of treatments for musculoskeletal diseases including Ablynx (a collaborator on the development of NanobodiesR for musculoskeletal diseases); Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc (a collaborator in the development of intranasal parathyroid hormone (PTH1-34) as a bone-building treatment for osteoporosis); and sanofi-aventis (with which P&PG has a global alliance, excluding Japan, to develop and commercialize ActonelR (risedronate sodium tablets) a treatment for osteoporosis).

—A. Techman

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